Media Analysis

In this worksheet, students choose a modern movie, TV show, song, or video game that includes themes from the American Frontier or Wild West. They read a passage explaining how entertainment often highlights heroic or adventurous aspects of the West while overlooking real hardships and historical accuracy. Students then answer a series of analysis questions comparing their chosen media with the historical information in the passage. This develops critical thinking skills and media literacy as students evaluate accuracy, bias, and omissions in popular portrayals. The activity strengthens the ability to draw connections between historical facts and modern storytelling.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Social Studies – Evaluating Historical Representation in Media

English Language Arts – Critical Analysis and Text-to-World Connections

Media Literacy – Identifying Bias and Inaccuracy

Social Studies – Understanding Frontier Life and Cultural Impact

This worksheet is part of our American Frontier and Wild West Worksheets collection.